DRUG DOSAGES AND FORMS
BY Gordon
Ms CEB, BsHND,PDME,ADPPC,DCM
10/18/24 1BsHND
DRUG DOSAGE FORMS
Drugs are prepared in different dosage forms and
for different purposes.
This is a form in which a medicine is prescribed for
use by the patient such as injections, tablets, syrups
Dosage forms do not contain just the active
ingredient but also contain other compounds called
excipients or derivatives.
These make the dosage form suitable for handling,
administration and enable it to release the active
medicaments in the appropriate manner to make it
efficacious for RX of diseases.
10/18/24 2
DRUG DOSAGE FORMS cont’d
Dosage forms can be in solid, semisolid, liquid or
gaseous form.
Route of administration Dosage forms/preparations
oral Tablets, capsules, solutions,
syrups, elixirs, suspensions,
emulsions, gel, powder, granules
Rectal Suppositories, ointments, creams
and solutions
Topical Ointments, creams, lotions, gels,
solutions, topical aerosols (sprays)
Parenteral Injections (solutions, suspensions,
emulsion)
Lung Aerosols, inhalation sprays
Nasal Solutions, inhalations and gases
Eye Solutions and creams
Ear Solutions, suspensions, ointments
10/18/24 3
Description of common dosage forms
Tablets: These are solid dosage forms containing one
or more dried compressed active drug as well as
binders.
Types of tablets
Tablets are formulated as coated or uncoated
Coated tablets include enteric coated, sugar coated,
film coated and slow-release coated.
Enteric coated tablets: These tablets are covered
with a special coating which resists break down in the
stomach but dissolves in the alkaline env’t in the
small intestines where drug is absorbed.
Coating is intended to avoid irritating stomach.
10/18/24 4
Dosage forms cont’d
Slow-release tablets: These tablets are made to
provide a continuous, sustained release of certain
drugs.
These tablets names are accompanied by
abbreviations such as S.R (slow release) or L.A (long
acting ) e.g Nifelat R, Olfen S.R or Adalat L.A
Sugar coated tablets: These are formulated with a
sugar coating to disguise bitter taste of active
ingredients.
Film coated tablets: Tablets covered with a very
thin layer of coating material
10/18/24 5
Dosage forms cont’d
Scored tablets: Tablets have an indented line
running across the top of the tablet.
Scored tablets can be broken down into 2 pieces
Caplets: These are easy to swallow coated tablets
inform of capsules e.g panadol
Effervescent tablets: These are uncoated tablets
containing acidic substances & either carbonates or
bicarbonates which react rapidly in the presence of
water to release carbondioxide.
They are intended to be dissolved in water before
administration e.g dispersible tablets.
10/18/24 6
Dosage forms cont’d
Capsules: These are cylindrically shaped solid unit
dosage form containing one or more substance
enclosed within a hard or soft gelatin shell.
Types of capsules
Slow release capsules: Contain pellets that dissolve
in the GIT releasing the drug slowly thereby
producing sustained drug action e.g Olfen S.R
Soft gelatin capsules: contain the drug in liquid
form inside the shell e.g vitamin A
Hard shell capsules: Manufactured in two pieces
which fit together and hold powder.
10/18/24 7
Dosage forms cont’d
A cream: This is semi solid emulsion of an oil and
water (with the main ingredient being oil)
Lotions: These are liquid or semi liquid drugs
containing one or more active ingredients in
sustainable vehicle. They are intended to be applied
to the unbroken skin without friction e.g calamine
lotion
Emulsion: is a suspension in which fat particles are
mixed with water
Pessaries: solid preparations containing one or
more active ingredients inserted in the vagina
nystatin, clotrimazole
10/18/24 8
Dosage forms cont’d
Suppository: solid form containing a solid base of
glycerin or cocoa butter intended for insertion into
body orifices where it melts, dissolves and exerts a
systemic or localized effect.e.g paracetamol,
coartem, diazepam, diclofenac
Suspension: Liquid preparation containing fine, un
dissolved particles of a drug suspended in it.
Aerosol: This is a pressurized preparation that when
activated releases a fine dispersion of liquid or solid
materials in a gaseous medium e.g salbutamol
Enema: Liquid intended to be injected in the
rectum e.g enemax
10/18/24 9
Dosage forms cont’d
Inhalational: Drug droplets, vapour or gas
administered by the oral or nasal respiratory route
via an aerosol or nebuliser.
Injection: A sterile, pathogen-free preparation
intended to be administered using a needle and
syringe (parenterally)
Lozenges (troches): Disk-shaped solid preparations
intended to slowly dissolve in the oral cavity for
localized effects
Ointment: A semisolid preparation intended for
external application to the skin or mucous
membranes.
10/18/24 10
Dosage forms cont’d
Mouth washes: Aqueous solutions containing one
or more active ingredients. They are intended for
use in contact with the mucous membrane of the
oral cavity. E.g Hydrogen peroxide, chlorohexidine
Pellet (implant): A sterile, small, rod or ovoid shape
mass intended to be implanted under the skin for
the purpose of providing slow release of medication
over an extended period of time e.g norplant
Powder: A mixture of finely divided drug particles
or chemicals substances
Spray: Liquid minutely or nebulised as by a jet of air
or stream
10/18/24 11
Dosage forms cont’d
Solution: A liquid preparation containing soluble
chemical substances usually dissolved in water.
Syrup: A concentered sugar solution in water that
may contain a flavouring agent and drug.
Eye drops: Sterile aqueous or oily solutions or
suspensions of one or more active ingredients for
installation into the eyes.
10/18/24 12
Dosage types
Dosage: This refers to determination and regulation
of size, frequency, number of doses (quantity to be
administered at one time= dose) & duration
Therapeutic dose: Average dose for an adult to
produce a therapeutic effect.
Loading dose: A dose that promptly & quickly raises
the plasma concn of a drug to target concn/desired
therapeutic effect (LD=VDXTC)
Maintenance dose: A dose that maintains steady
state of a drug in the body i.e just enough dose to
replace the drug eliminated since preceding dose.
10/18/24 13
Dosage types
Maximal tolerated dose: Largest dose of drug that
can be taken safely.
Fatal dose: A dose that can produce death
Placebo
Refers to an inactive substance/preparation given to
satisfy the patient symbolic need for drug therapy
and it is used in controlled studies to determine the
efficiency of medicinal substances.
10/18/24 14